Features

"I love Sonlight because it is so nicely organized, and I know where to start," writes Ashley R of Rutledge, TN. "Sonlight has taken away some of the stress of being a first year homeschool family. My daughter and I are so excited to begin this adventure with Sonlight. I let her look at her K readers, and she is reading! To see the look on your child's face when she learns something new is absolutely priceless!"

"We were drawn to Sonlight because we love the books and reading together," writes Megan S of Santa Rosa, CA, "but the Book of Time and the way history is put into place by the collective curriculum was a revelation for me.

"I have learned so much right alongside my children! And my babies learn daily with their older sisters. It's an all-around win. We thank God for bringing Sonlight into our lives."

Here, Megan's daughter Alheli (4) hugs her Book of Time as she joyfully realizes that she'll be doing her very own timeline work! Her sisters Ellen (7) and Olin (4) look at their own treasures during their family's fifth Box Day."Alheli has been listening to her older sisters' Sonlight readings since she was a baby," Megan said. "This year, as we opened the box, she said 'Hey, look! A new timeline book!' When I told her it was hers to use, she pulled it out with awe and kissed it. I love that one of her growing-up milestones will be her use of the timeline that she's watched her sisters diligently fill throughout her life. It's a page in her very own story."

"I stumbled upon Sonlight and fell IN LOVE with the world experiences I could offer my 6-year-old kindergartener," writes Teneal K of Tylertown, MS. "The Read-Alouds paired with Living Long Ago and the Timeline really bring the entire world to life. I love sharing real life scenarios from around the world, giving my daughter a much deeper scope than just our small corner of the map. We love Sonlight!"

Six-year-old Emma Claire is pictured here among the many Sonlight Read-Alouds from her year as she celebrates the completion of Sonlight HBL A.

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.

Young adventurers: Explore God's big world!

Sonlight A sets the stage for future learning with its gentle introduction to formal academics. Your children develop a big-picture understanding that past civilizations existed and that people live differently throughout the world. Sonlight A is an introduction to the world. Like a sample platter, you’ll get a taste of different world cultures and different periods in World History. And so, when you return to the Romans and Vikings in years to come, your children will have a mental peg already in place when they learn the new information. The knowledge you’ll gain this year builds a framework for future in-depth history study.

This 36-week program also helps children start to see past themselves. Not everyone lives like they do! As a result, they are able to look at situations from another person’s point of view and to relate to others who are different from them. They also develop a healthy curiosity about the world around them.

Your children won't be little forever, and this program allows you to enjoy this year together. From hands-on activities to stories they'll remember their entire lives, get ready for lots of laughs and hugs. In Sonlight A, you’ll:

Inspire a love of learning, gain a sense of history and explore far-off places.

Guide your children confidently each day: you get lesson plans, teaching tips and materials for the entire year.

Overview of the History

In Sonlight A, two books tie the year's studies together. Both The Usborne Children's Encyclopedia and Living Long Ago feature simple text and excellent illustrations. You get brief, picture-filled overviews of key civilizations, like the Roman Empire and the Vikings. Explore the way people ate, dressed and lived through the centuries.

The History also includes several wonderful, age-appropriate missionary biographies to learn first-hand how the good news of Jesus changes people and cultures.

This program also includes a wonderful children's Bible. When you read Egermeier's Bible Story Book to your children, they will beg you to "read one more chapter!"

Overview of the Literature

The Read-Alouds this year are stellar. These books naturally lead to conversations – about faith, about character, about relationships. These books present worthy heroes who display courage and honesty, who work hard, who love their families, and who do the right thing.

There are a variety of books, such as Winnie-the-Pooh and My Father's Dragon, in completely imaginary settings, with charming illustrations and escapades.

There are a range of fiction books. You'll read one set in China, one in a lighthouse at Christmas, one in an apartment house in Florida, and one in the streets of Paris.

And there is a wonderful variety of fascinating nonfiction: two that take place in the ocean off the coast of Florida; a biography of Johnny Appleseed, born in New England in 1774. There is one book on nurses who served in Appalachia in the 1920s, one about the overthrow of a tyrant in the Alps in 1291, one set in France during WWII, and one about the unexpected adventures of a very unusual pet.

Grade K Readers

The Grade K Readers package is designed for children who are ready to learn the alphabet.

This is the best set of beginning readers that focuses on consonant-vowel-consonant words (CVC). Children read the first book after they have learned six letters. After that, as they learn a letter, they read the next book.

Early decoding, as this first reading is called, is often challenging. How satisfying, then, to be able to read a short book with success every week.

A biography of Louis Braille. From his childhood and time at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, through the latter years of his life as he persevered until the alphabet he developed gained acceptance.

Mama Laird served as a missionary in the Central African Republic for decades, and saw great moves to God. One dear follower was beaten by drunks until he almost died, but 300 or so people came to his house of death and followed Jesus, until a day no one came. Then he said, "God, let me get up or die." Incredible, beautiful, challenging. Marvelous.

God prepared the way for the Karen people of Burma to come to know him. When George Boardman and Adoniram Judson arrived, the Burmese were not terribly interested, but the Karen were desperately ready. Incredible story of God at work.

A series of stories featuring Huckle, Lowly, Pig Will, Pig Won't, and other characters who demonstrate the good will generated by nice manners. Zany pictures and stories help reinforce manners lessons.

The classic Gertrude Chandler Warner book about four orphans who have to fend for themselves. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are orphans. Determined to make it on their own, they set out to find a safe place to live. They discover an old, red boxcar that provides shelter from a storm.

Set in Paris, the story of an old hobo whose heart and life become entangled with a fatherless family in search of a home.

Included in Sonlight A, this story begins with homelessness and ends with coming home.

When children and their mother lose their home, they move under a Paris bridge. The homeless man who lived there finds this annoying: all this time, he's avoided emotional entanglements, and now these children are stirring his affection. Drat!

Set around Christmas time, the end is a realistic and charmingly satisfying Christmas gift.

The real Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman in 1774, in a small Massachusetts village. Discover his story through this wise and witty work. Learn how the apple tree-planting folk hero helped open and tame the American frontier.

The youngest of six children — and the only girl — Raven Hannah is not big enough to help with any of the work on her family's turn-of-the-century Vermont farm. But when the winter comes, she surprises everyone by being able to read — something no one else in her family can do.

Three children and their widowed mother inherit a run-down apartment building in Florida. A sign on the front door says "No Children, No Pets." Adventure awaits as the kids solve lingering mysteries and help fix up the building. A satisfying childhood tale that keeps you guessing what will happen next.

Winnie-the-Pooh tells the tale of young Christopher Robin and his companions—Piglet, Eeyore, and most of all, a bear called Pooh. Together, they adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood, discovering other creatures, celebrating birthdays, and lending each other a helping paw in times of trouble.

Outstanding. A year in the life of two neighbors in Norway and their laugh-out-loud adventures. Cheery, sweet, good family story. Touches on grief, remembering, restoration. What do fathers do other than eat boiled cabbage? When the son has lived through his most sad day, the father comes and sings the son's own song, until the son releases his grief: "suddenly I realized what dads are for." Loved it entirely.

Discover the holiday customs of nations around the world with 30 festive full-page illustrations. Celebrations range from spectacular parades in China to candles in the sand on Brazilian beaches; from fireworks over Sydney Harbor to the countdown in New York's Times Square. The Around The World New Year Coloring Book has lively pictures to color that feature New Year observances in Israel, Germany, India, Greece, Mexico, Italy, Haiti, Nigeria, and more.

Recommended Resource for levels A-D. Before you start homeschooling, you must read this! One bound volume jam-packed with practical advice and down-to-earth help give you all you need to start teaching your young children reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Features

"I love Sonlight because it is so nicely organized, and I know where to start," writes Ashley R of Rutledge, TN. "Sonlight has taken away some of the stress of being a first year homeschool family. My daughter and I are so excited to begin this adventure with Sonlight. I let her look at her K readers, and she is reading! To see the look on your child's face when she learns something new is absolutely priceless!"

"We were drawn to Sonlight because we love the books and reading together," writes Megan S of Santa Rosa, CA, "but the Book of Time and the way history is put into place by the collective curriculum was a revelation for me.

"I have learned so much right alongside my children! And my babies learn daily with their older sisters. It's an all-around win. We thank God for bringing Sonlight into our lives."

Here, Megan's daughter Alheli (4) hugs her Book of Time as she joyfully realizes that she'll be doing her very own timeline work! Her sisters Ellen (7) and Olin (4) look at their own treasures during their family's fifth Box Day."Alheli has been listening to her older sisters' Sonlight readings since she was a baby," Megan said. "This year, as we opened the box, she said 'Hey, look! A new timeline book!' When I told her it was hers to use, she pulled it out with awe and kissed it. I love that one of her growing-up milestones will be her use of the timeline that she's watched her sisters diligently fill throughout her life. It's a page in her very own story."

"I stumbled upon Sonlight and fell IN LOVE with the world experiences I could offer my 6-year-old kindergartener," writes Teneal K of Tylertown, MS. "The Read-Alouds paired with Living Long Ago and the Timeline really bring the entire world to life. I love sharing real life scenarios from around the world, giving my daughter a much deeper scope than just our small corner of the map. We love Sonlight!"

Six-year-old Emma Claire is pictured here among the many Sonlight Read-Alouds from her year as she celebrates the completion of Sonlight HBL A.

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.